Some people think it’s normal for a person's behavior or attitude to change negatively as they age. But that’s not an inevitable part of aging. Significant changes in an older person’s personality, behavior, or attitude can be a sign of depression or other mental health issues.
Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can make a major difference in a person's life. Unfortunately, mental health problems in older adults often are missed altogether, underdiagnosed, or misattributed to a concurrent medical illness. For example, a diagnosis of depression can be masked by other illnesses, like Parkinson’s disease, that have some of the same symptoms as depression.
UPMC is nationally recognized as a pioneer in innovative geriatric behavioral health care. Our professional behavioral health staff is specially trained and certified in geriatric care. We recognize and know how to treat the unique challenges faced by older adults, including managing behavioral health issues co-occurring with significant physical health challenges.
In all we do, we emphasize compassionate care, respect, and support for older adults and their families.
Western Behavioral Health offers a broad range of outpatient services for older adults with complex behavioral health challenges. Outpatient means you go to a clinic or medical office but don’t stay overnight. If you or a loved one are age 65 or older and have depression, dementia, anxiety, or other mental health problems, it is important to get expert care to treat and manage them.
Our outpatient services include:
You can find geriatric outpatient services at:
UPMC Geriatric Psychiatry Services – Oakland
UPMC Bellefield Tower, 8th Floor
100 N. Bellefield Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-586-9200
UPMC Senior Care
Benedum Geriatric Center
UPMC Montefiore, 4 East
3459 Fifth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3236
412-692-4200
UPMC Senior Care Institute
5200 Centre Ave., Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA 15232-1311
412-623-2700
UPMC St. Margaret
Geriatric Care Center - Aspinwall
815 Freeport Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
412-784-4234
UPMC Geriatric Care Center - Oakmont
1215 Hulton Road
Oakmont, PA
412-784-7620
We offer telehealth (virtual) visits for all of our outpatient services. The first mental health appointment will be in person. After that you can choose virtual appointments for follow-up visits. These visits may be by phone or video. However, a yearly in-person visit is required.
The Mature Minds Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adults ages 60 and up is available if you are living with severe depression or anxiety but don’t need an inpatient admission. The program addresses these complex and sensitive issues with a compassionate, sensitive, and personalized approach.
Participants in this program meet three days a week for three hours a day. It includes group therapy as well as weekly individual time with a doctor and a therapist. Participants are usually enrolled in the program for one to two months.
View our Mature Minds brochure (PDF) to learn more.
Medical or behavioral health providers can refer a patient by calling 412-246-5600 or online at UPMC.com/iopphpreferral.
Our Adult Hoarding Group meets for two 90-minute virtual group sessions each week, over a period of 10 weeks. In addition, individual therapy will be offered to patients interested in additional support between group sessions. Psychiatric services will be provided to patients in need of medication management.
This group opportunity provides:
This group is one of several specialty programs we offer. To learn more about the others, view the program brochure (PDF).
Medical or behavioral health providers can refer a patient by calling 412-246-5600, option 2, or online at UPMC.com/hoardingreferral.
Western Behavioral Health partners with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services to provide in-home services for homebound older adults. Services offered include medicine management and talk therapy.
This home-based support program is appropriate for individuals:
For questions and to learn more about the Geri In-Home Program, please call 412-204-9093 or e-mail Geri_In_Home@UPMC.edu.
Western Behavioral Health works with older adults at assisted-living, long-term care, and other community-based senior living residences. These include many UPMC Senior Communities locations as well as private facilities in the greater Pittsburgh area.
We work with the staff at these locations to provide diagnoses, medicine management, and behavioral health planning for the seniors who live there.
Western Psychiatric Hospital has dedicated an inpatient unit exclusively for people ages 65 and older.
There you’ll get help from our specialized geriatric mental health care teams that will:
For a mental health emergency, call 988.
For an appointment near you, call Western Behavioral Health’s main phone number at 1-877-624-4100 or 412-624-1000.
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
3811 O’Hara St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Call 412-624-1000 or toll free 1-877-624-4100.
Call our resolve Crisis Services at 1-888-796-8226. It’s free and open 24/7.
Or go to the resolve Crisis Services walk-in clinic:
333 North Braddock Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide or self-harm:
Text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or call 800-273-8255.
